Properties of chemically treated natural amorphous silica fibers as polyurethane reinforcement

Abstract A novel kind of short natural fiber obtained from mineral resources, which consists mainly of pure amorphous SiO₂, was chemically modified with aminosilane to improve its interfacial adhesion in polyurethane composites. The effect of the treatment as well as the aspect ratio of the fibers on the mechanical properties of the composite were evaluated and compared with properties obtained with glass fibers composites, which are commonly used in industry. The results obtained show that these natural fibers are potential candidates for the substitution of glass fibers as a reinforcement phase in polymer composites, since the mechanical properties obtained were in all cases equal or superior to the ones obtained with commercial glass fibers. POLYM. COMPOS. 27:582–590, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers.